Structural dependence of the gallium(III)/4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) complexes on the nature of the inorganic anion present: Preparation and characterization of [GaCl2(dmbpy)2][GaCl4], [GaCl2(dmbpy)2](ClO4) and [Ga(dmbpy)2(H2O)2](NO3)3

The use of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) in gallium(III) chemistry has been investigated. The reactions of dmbpy with various gallium(III) sources [GaCl3, GaCl3 in the presence of View the MathML sourceClO4-, Ga(NO3)3] have afforded the new complexes [GaCl2(dmbpy)2][GaCl4] (1), [GaCl2(dmbpy)2](ClO4) (2) and [Ga(H2O)2(dmbpy)2](NO3)3 (3). The chemical identity of the products depends on the anion(s) present. The octahedral cations in the three compounds have a cis configuration, while the tetrachlorogallate(−1) anion of 1 has a slightly distorted tetrahedral structure. Characteristic IR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and the structures of the complexes. The structure of 1 is very similar to that of the known complex [GaCl2(bpy)2][GaCl4].